The Lakers Hope to Fulfill Buss’s Playoff Wish

L.A. Times: Jerry Buss has spoken, expressing confidence in a Laker playoff appearance this season.

His employees are listening.

“When the boss speaks, that’s the goal,” Kobe Bryant said. “It’s kind of like you’ve got to hit your mark. We as players, what we have to do is focus on the daily process, come to work every day and focus on our execution. I think those results will come, whether it’s making the playoffs, whether it’s exceeding everyone’s expectations, who knows?”

Phil Jackson, brought in to tidy up after last season’s 34-48 effort, feigned surprise.

“He said that?” Jackson said. “Wow, we hadn’t talked about that.”

Then, on a more serious note …

“We hope we do,” Jackson said. “We have to be a pretty solid team. This is really a tough conference for us to jump up from where we were this last year to replace some teams and to move into that playoff group.

“We have to solidify defense, and that’s probably our No. 1 order. And we have to play offense with the idea that we’re going to get some points off our defense.”

Forward Kwame Brown, mentioned by Buss as a key to the season, didn’t disagree with his new boss’ postseason expectations.

“We have the talent,” Brown said. “We just have to come out and all that. Everybody’s questioning our depth, but if we can come out with the first unit and keep a presence throughout the whole game and don’t be in foul trouble, I think we’ll be a pretty good team.”

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